Music rights investment firm democratizes long-tail sale of song catalogs

Called the Catch Point Catalog Acquisition Program, the goal is to allow mid- and lower-level songwriters monetize their compositions. The company hopes to realize long-tail value which can be accumulated through many purchases of small catalogs. Click for details. Continue Reading

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iHeartMedia will get $100-million in BMI sale. So will creators. Not everyone is thrilled.

The acquisition of performance rights organization BMI by New Mountain Capital, which transpired late last week, will put approximately $100-million of cash into iHeart’s balance sheet. Along with that, BMI announced that $100-million of post-sale proceeds will be distributed to music creators. There is some controversy. Continue Reading

ASCAP and BMI jointly create Songview data platform for new level of music rights transparency

Leading performance rights organizations (PROs) ASCAP and BMI have jointly announced the launch of Songview, a searchable database of music ownership rights. Better organization and transparency in the tangled field of music ownership has long been needed, according to nearly all experts in the field, to more accurately and quickly direct royalty payments to the proper creators. Continue Reading

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ASCAP delays April payments as coronavirus creates ripple effect through music industry finances

The coronavirus pandemic has already had an impact on music consumption and performance around the world. Performing rights organization ASCAP is the latest company to share changes as a result of the disease. President and Chairman Paul Williams told members in an email that the organization is postponing its scheduled April 6 payments to April 28. Continue Reading

Public comment closes on Justice Department’s consent decree review, revealing more industry division

The Department of Justice has closed the open comment period for its review of the consent decrees governing ASCAP and BMI. Both of the performing rights organizations have submitted their views on the subject, as have other groups from the music and audio industry. Even though the topic was recently addressed by the DOJ, the sector still has deeply divided interests in how these rules may or may not change. Continue Reading

Department of Justice begins review of consent decrees; ASCAP and BMI respond

The U.S. Department of Justice has officially opened a new review of the consent decrees governing ASCAP and BMI. Both performance rights organizations have operated their copyright management systems under these rules for more than 75 years. The review will examine whether the decrees should continue in their current state, receive modifications, or be ended entirely. Continue Reading

ASCAP and BMI release open letter as the future for consent decrees becomes uncertain

Consent decrees are back in the headlines. These rules govern how performing rights organizations ASCAP and BMI collect fees for use of their catalogs, but now the Department of Justice is reviewing the decrees and considering their end. Today, ASCAP and BMI issued an open letter with their stance on the possible reforms. Continue Reading

David Oxenford: Podcaster Sued for Copyright Infringement for Using Music without Permission

by David Oxenford

Major labels and publishers are quick to call in the copyright lawyers, and this time their target was a podcast that they claimed was illegally using music in episodes. David Oxenford explains the distinctions between different performance licenses and what podcasters should do to stay on the right side of copyright law. Continue Reading

BMI wins out over Justice Department in appeals court ruling

BMI announced that a Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has ruled in its favor, meaning the preforming rights organization will be able to continue its use of fractional licensing. That’s a big win for BMI, although understanding why requires some review of legal proceedings and details from the past 18 months. Continue Reading

BMI reaches record-high revenue and distributions in FY 2017

Performing rights organization BMI shared the financial results from the 2017 fiscal year. Annual revenue reached a record high of $1.13 billion. Distributions and administrations to artists totaled $1.023 billion, another record figure. According to the press release, BMI’s 2017 results are the largest public performance revenue and royalty distributions of any music rights organization worldwide. Continue Reading